It was at a time when the concept of Shinrin Yoku — forest bathing – was not yet well known. It was an early Sunday morning in late fall when I entered the Conifer section to seek out interesting fallen cones on the ground. I was struck by the feeling of solitude — not a soul around and not a sound heard. At one point of being close to the pine-needled ground was when I felt total immersion in the space. The heady aroma of pine, the coolness of the morning breezes, the towering sight of these majestic trees, the morning light filtering through the limbs, and my own feeling of gratitude and overwhelming peace to be in that spot at that moment. A deep sense of wonder and awe.